Program: B.M., Music

Percussion

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music option in Percussion (entrance audition required) is designed for those who want to be professional performers or university-level teachers (following the appropriate graduate degree). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. This option is focused in the area of classical music but usually includes study in other areas (jazz vibes, hand percussion, etc.). Students interested in pursuing a career in the jazz/popular music idioms should audition for entrance into the Jazz Studies option instead.

Program Requirements

A. Admission to the Major

Admission to the major in Music for all undergraduate degrees is determined by audition. Those auditioning for the Performance options must exhibit a high performance competence in the audition. Audition procedures and standards are listed on the Department of Music—Audition and Placement website.

To enter the B.M. option in Percussion, one must pass an entry audition. Expectations are that the applicant will perform at an exceptional level on two of the “major” instruments (a mallet instrument, snare drum, timpani, etc.) Note: It is extremely unusual for a self-taught percussionist to pass the B.M. percussion audition.

Typical materials used by students for this audition include: (a) a major solo piece or (b) a demanding exercise/étude taken from a method book. It is strongly suggested that one’s audition materials be selected in consultation with a professional teacher if at all possible.

Transfer students seeking admission to Performance options must audition at the appropriate entrance level determined by the number of transferable units accepted by the University. (Example: At the time of the audition, students with more than 60 transferable units must demonstrate musical proficiency at the junior level for admission to a Performance option.) Exceptions to this policy are rare and are at the discretion of the Music department.

B. Lesson and Ensemble Requirements

To qualify for individual lessons in any semester, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units, including lesson units and the correct number of ensemble units required by his or her option.

Enrollment in the designated ensemble(s) for the student’s instrument is a corequisite of enrollment in private lessons each semester of enrollment. Students who do not meet this requirement by the third week of the semester will not be eligible for lessons that semester. Students enrolled in music ensembles in the Fall semester normally are expected to re-enroll in the same ensemble for the Spring semester. The nature of these classes makes it essential that consistent personnel be maintained throughout the year.

All students enrolled in individual lessons must demonstrate their progress in the major before a faculty jury at the end of each semester of study. Students receiving lower than a grade of “C-” in that semester of lessons will need to take additional study at their own expense to achieve their required level of performance before resuming department-paid lessons.

C. Grade Requirement

Students in all options of the B.A. and B.M. Music degrees must earn a grade of “C-” or better in all courses in the Music curriculum, including those required courses that are offered in other departments.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 80

General Education Units: 39

Additional Units: 1

Total Units Required for the B.M. Degree: 120

Contact

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music, through sight-reading, basic keyboard proficiency and musical analysis.

Perform standard repertoire appropriate to their performance area, as individuals, members of ensembles and/or conductors.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of music history within their area of specialization and an acquaintance with the history, cultural background and repertoires beyond that area, including a wide selection of Western and world music literature.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of music technology and its application to their area of specialization.

Develop pedagogical and/or clinical skills fundamental to their area of specialization for application across a variety of music and music-related professions.

Demonstrate professional competence in the execution of business processes and practices commonly employed within their area of specialization.

Create derivative or original music in both extemporaneous and written form.